Cherokee seeks funds for rural transit

The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners has approved an application for $304,934 in operating funds and $103,696 for capital costs for its Cherokee Area Transportation System Rural Transportation Program.

The request for FY 2018 funds, out of the Federal Transit Administration Section 5311 program for transit assistance to rural areas, is being made through the Georgia Department of Transportation.

The county is obligated to provide a match of about 50 percent for operations, $152,567, and a 10 percent match for capital costs – $10,370 to replace two buses. The county operates a 12-vehicle fleet of shuttle buses and vans to provide trips upon request and under contract with the state Department of Human Services.

CATS provided more than 46,000 trips during fiscal 2016. More than 30,000 were for skills training and education; nearly 2,400, for employment; over 3,800, for medical appointments and treatments, and in excess of 5,000, for seniors participating in nutrition and senior adult activity programs, according to the county.

Information: www.cherokeega.com/transportation/